The X-ray Structure of A399 and A401: A Pre-Merging Cluster Pair

Abstract

We present {\em ASCA} results of the pair clusters A399 and A401. The region between the two clusters exhibits excess X-rays over the value expected with a simple superposition of the two clusters. We see, however, no temperature rise at the merging front; the temperature is near the average of those in the inner regions of the two clusters. These indicate that the two clusters are really interacting but it is not strong at present. The inner regions of the two clusters show no radial variations of temperature, abundance and absorption values. We set upper-limits of mass deposition rate of cooling flow to be $\dot{M}<35\;\rm M_{\odot}yr^{-1}$ and $\dot{M}<59\;\rm M_{\odot}yr^{-1}$ for A399 and A401, respectively. A hint of azimuthal variation of the temperature is also found.